THE future of one of the North-East's most crucial business developments, which could create up to 1,000 jobs, was secured last night.

A development company has been announced to take forward the Morton Palms Business Park, on the outskirts of Darlington - a project seen as vital to the future economic prosperity of the town and the Tees Valley.

Newcastle company City and Northern has been confirmed as Darlington Borough Council's preferred developer for the flagship site.

The move, which officials hope will help the development attract £17m of private investment, ends months of uncertainty surrounding Morton Palms, following the withdrawal of developers Highbridge last year.

The Northern Echo can today publish the first artist's impressions of how City and Northern plans to transform the area, alongside the A66, on the western edge of Darlington.

The firm is expected to submit its first planning application for the site by the end of the month. It will be seeking approval for a 30,000 sq ft office development.

Highbridge initially won planning permission for the site but the scheme suffered a setback when JJB Sports sought consent for a £6m Soccerdome to be built nearby.

JJB's rival interest led to fitness entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne scrapping his plans to open a gymnasium at Morton Palms.

Council chiefs are now looking to a bright future for the project, seen as the key element in making Darlington "the gateway to the Tees Valley".

The business park is a partnership project between Darlington council and regional development agency One NorthEast, with £1.5m already spent on completing the basic road infrastructure.

Council leader and deputy chair of One NorthEast, Councillor John Williams, said: "These are exciting times for Darlington, with many of our long-term projects starting to bear fruit.

"The new business park will bring investment to Darlington and create job opportunities for local people.

"Both Darlington council and One NorthEast look forward to working with the developers to produce a high quality business park that will be a real asset to the town and to the North-East."

Elliott Ward, managing director of City and Northern, said: "Darlington is one of the best located towns in the North-East in terms of communications and skilled workforce.

"City and Northern therefore intends to develop high quality offices to attract national and regional companies to the town."

Both the council and the Tees Valley Partnership have aspirations for making Darlington the gateway to the North-East.

Authorities are continuing to press for the A66 bypass to be made dual carriageway and there are plans to enhance transport links between the town and Teesside.